Selected Titles

Rules-Light Games

Rules light games tend to be great for introducing new players and youth to TRPGs. Popular titles geared towards younger players include:

• Faery’s Tale Deluxe
• Princes’ Kingdom
• The Zorceror of Zo

Several other titles are ideal for teen and adult programming, including:

• Expedition
• GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System)
• RuneQuest
• Tunnels & Trolls
• Tiny Dungeon
• Dungeon Crawl Classics: Role Playing Game
• Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game
• Fate Core

Expedition

Expedition is a simplified TRPG that works well for beginners, youth, and TRPG veterans alike. The game is played using a deck of cards, a d20, and an application that is compatible on Android, iOS, and Internet browsers. The application guides players through game mechanics (read: combat) and provides a “choose your own adventure” text narrative. Campaigns can handle between one and six players, and are generally user-developed and vary in length.

Combat is fast-paced and requires players to compare d20 rolls to their cards to determine success or failure. Through the application, the combat timer and difficulty can be adjusted to suit the needs of the group. The application also features a GM mode which allows inspiring GMs to narrate their own stories while the application runs combat.

Purchasing a hard copy of this title is very inexpensive at $24.99 USD, or players may print and play.

Basic Roleplaying

Basic Roleplaying is purposely built without a setting so GMs are encouraged to adapt the rules to suit any genre. Basic Roleplaying operates using an easy-to-use percentile system and comes with modular sets of rules that can be used or altered to suit the preferences of gaming groups.

Due to the age of the system, plenty of gaming content has been published which players and GMs can easily access.

The softcover edition of Basic Roleplaying costs $39.95 USD, or librarians may download a free PDF of the quick-start rules. Chaosium also retails a hard-copy of the quick-start rules for $11.95 USD.

Dungeon World

Dungeon World is an indie, rules-light game reminiscent of classic high-fantasy games, like Dungeons & Dragons.

The game is played using the Apocalypse World system which governs character moves. Characters roll 2d6 and add ability modifiers to determine their character's success. Unlike in Dungeons & Dragons, success and failures are played out differently. In Dungeon World, if a player rolls a 10 or higher, the move is a success. If the player rolls between 7 and 9, the move is a partial success, but the GM may choose to have the move succeed with a problem. Rolls that result in a 6 or less may fail, or create trouble or an obstacle for the character.

According to the publisher website, gameplay in Dungeon World is built to ensure that action is always moving forward and that players are not bogged down by endless rules.

The award-winning Dungeon World can be purchased as a PDF from DriveThruGames for $10.00 USD or in print and PDF formats from the publisher for $25.00 USD.

Tiny Dungeon (2e)

Tiny Dungeon is a rule-light game that is great for players of all ages. It operates using the TinyD6 Engine, which consists of players rolling one-to-three d6 die/dice to determine the success or failure of actions.

Tiny Dungeon also comes with a variety of open-ended micro-settings for players to explore; however, GMs are still required to create actual adventures for players. Character creation has been simplified and character statistics can be recorded onto a small 3x5 notecard. Librarians may choose to collect this game system for its versatility and simplicity, as it emphasizes role-playing components.

The second edition of Tiny Dungeon is available for sale at DriveThruRPG for $17.99 USD (PDF) and between $24.99 and $34.99 USD for hardcopy editions.

Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game

Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game is a rules-light based on classic 1970s-1980s TRPG rules. As a rule-light game, Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game is great for all ages - it's easy enough to teach to children but contains enough depth for adults.

Since the system is open-source, players have created a community where they have developed supplements for others to use. Players can access Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game rules and supplements for free in PDF format or purchase a print-copy rulebook for cheap.

Princes' Kingdom

Princes’ Kingdom is geared towards younger gamers ranging from 5 to 12 years old. Players play as princes or princesses who survey the kingdom and solve problems for its citizens. This game is unique as players are encouraged to explore nonviolent resolutions to problems.

Since Princes’ Kingdom is meant to be played in shorter, family-friendly sessions, this game is ideal choice for children’s TRPG programs. A PDF copy of Princes’ Kingdom can be purchased for $9.99 USD.

Rules-Intensive Games

Rules-intensive games are ideal for teen and adult TRPG programs. Several games within this category include:

• Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition
• Pathfinder RPG
• Exalted
• Reign
• Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay
• Burning Wheel
• Ars Magica
• Heroquest
• Mage: The Ascension
• Star Wars RPG
• Star Trek RPG
• Call of Cthulhu

Many more titles exist and librarians are encouraged to read reviews and test quick-start rules.

Librarians may also consider collecting TRPGs that are based upon well-established intellectual properties such as: A Song of Ice and Fire, Dragon Age, Star Trek Adventures, Star Wars: Edge of the Empire, and The Expanse RPG.

Dungeons & Dragons (5e)

The fifth edition of the classic dungeon crawler is the most streamlined and accessible editions in terms of rules and format.

Libraries may purchase physical copies of rulebooks, primarily the Player’s Handbook which retails at $49.95 USD. Pre-made adventures and other supplements are available, but optional. Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition may be used with online applications that help manage character creation and adventures, such as D&D Beyond and Roll20.

Wizards of the Coast have produced two starter sets, the Starter Set and the Essentials Kit, which contain simplified rules, introductory adventures, and other goodies, such as pre-made character sheets and polyhedral dice. At around $24.99 USD, these kits are quite a bit cheaper, but are often limited in their utility.

Pathfinder RPG (2e)

Before Wizards of the Coast released Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition, Pathfinder RPG consistently sat at the top of sales and popularity charts.

Players enjoy Pathfinder’s streamlined Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edtion-derived rules, high fantasy setting, and in-depth character customization.

Paizo regularly releases new content and is compatible with Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition materials - which means more adventures, settings, and other homebrew elements are available.

Libraries are encouraged to collect the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, which retails for $59.99 USD for hardcover or $14.99 USD for PDF. Another great option to introduce Pathfinder RPG to library patrons is with the Beginner Box, which retails for $34.99 USD. Much like the Essentials Kit for Dungeons & Dragons, the Beginner Box is comprised of the Hero’s Handbook, Game Master’s Guide, and a Transition Guide in order to transition to the full version of the game.

Due to the complexity of the 3.5 edition-inspired rules, this is a game system for committed gamers.

Call of Cthulhu (7e)

Call of Cthulhu is based off the stories of horror legend H.P. Lovecraft and focuses heavily on investigation, storytelling, and roleplaying - not so much combat.

This TRPG is the first entry in the horror genre and is currently on its seventh edition. The mechanics are easy to learn as they are based off of Chaosium’s Basic Roleplaying and use a simple roll-low percentile-based system.

Since the game has been around for several decades, seemingly endless amounts of play content is available to expand upon the system. Librarians may purchase core rulebooks, such as the Investigator Handbook and the Keeper Rulebook, which are relatively inexpensive at $22.95 and $27.95 USD respectively. Alternatively, librarians may choose to purchase the Starter Set which includes simplified rules, several introductory adventures, and other goodies, making it a great introduction to the game at a low price of $24.99 USD.

Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Roleplaying Game

Star Wars: Edge of the Empire takes players to the fringes of the Star Wars galaxy where participants play as smugglers, bounty hunters, and pirates. Other games within this series allow participants to play as rebel soldiers, the last Jedi knights, or as clone troopers during the Clone Wars.

The game uses an attribute system which helps to determine character skills and talents. The game's biggest differentiating factor is its proprietary polyhedral dice. The game uses 8 different dice to represent: The Force, ability, difficulty of performing of task, proficiency or skill level, challenge, boost or aid to a skill roll, setback used to penalize a skill roll, and critical dice, which represent a critical injury or a critical hit.

Libraries may choose to collect this TRPG for its popular intellectual property, which may make the game a successful TRPG for teen programming.

There are two ways to introduce Star Wars: Edge of the Empire to your library. First, by purchasing the Core Rulebook for $59.95 USD or by purchasing the Beginner Game for $29.95 USD, which contains slimmed down rules, an adventure, proprietary dice, and other supplementary materials.

The downside to collecting this game is the cost: the core rulebooks are expensive and the RPG requires the use of proprietary dice to play, which start at $14.95 USD.